CONTENTS

    What Is Holt Integrated Circuits and What Do They Offer

    avatar
    danny@gns-ic.com
    ·July 16, 2025
    ·7 min read
    What Is Holt Integrated Circuits and What Do They Offer
    Image Source: unsplash

    Holt Integrated Circuits designs advanced electronic components for the aerospace and defense industries. The company has earned a strong reputation for reliability and high performance. Many engineers trust Holt Integrated Circuits because of their deep experience and wide product selection. Customers value their commitment to strict quality standards and innovation.

    Holt Integrated Circuits stands out as a trusted partner for mission-critical applications.

    Key Takeaways

    • Holt Integrated Circuits designs reliable electronic components mainly for aerospace and defense industries.

    • Their products support key protocols like ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, and CAN, ensuring safe and efficient data communication.

    • Holt holds important quality certifications such as AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008, showing strong commitment to high standards.

    • The company leads in innovation by offering highly integrated, compact, and cost-effective ICs that simplify system design.

    • Holt’s solutions power critical systems in aircraft, military platforms, industrial automation, and medical equipment.

    About Holt Integrated Circuits

    Company Profile

    Holt Integrated Circuits operates as a privately held company with a focused team. The company currently employs about 34 people. This small size allows for close collaboration and quick decision-making. Holt Integrated Circuits has built a reputation for delivering reliable solutions to complex electronic challenges.

    Industry Focus

    Holt Integrated Circuits specializes in designing integrated circuits for demanding environments. The company serves the aerospace and defense sectors, where reliability and performance are critical. Many aircraft, satellites, and military systems use their products. Holt Integrated Circuits also supports industrial and medical applications that require robust and long-lasting components.

    Customers rely on Holt Integrated Circuits for products that meet strict industry requirements and perform under extreme conditions.

    Certifications

    Holt Integrated Circuits maintains high standards for quality and safety. The company holds certifications such as AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008. These certifications show a strong commitment to quality management and continuous improvement. Many leading aerospace and defense contractors trust Holt Integrated Circuits because of these recognized standards.

    Holt Integrated Circuits Products

    Data Bus ICs

    Holt Integrated Circuits offers a wide range of data bus ICs designed for mission-critical communication. These products support many industry standards and help engineers build reliable systems for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

    Data Bus IC Category

    Subtypes / Examples

    ARINC 429

    Protocol ICs with SPI Interface, Parallel Interface, Line Drivers, Line Receivers

    MIL-STD-1553

    Integrated Terminals, Protocol IP Core, Transceivers, Transformers, Drop-In Replacements, Encoder/Decoders

    ARINC 825 (CAN)

    Avionics CAN Controller ICs

    ARINC 717

    Data bus ICs for ARINC 717 protocol

    RS485 / 422

    Differential transceivers and line drivers

    Ethernet

    Ethernet interface ICs

    Discrete-to-Digital / Drivers

    Components converting discrete signals to digital or driving signals

    Analog Switches

    Analog switching ICs

    LCD Display Drivers

    Drivers for LCD displays (peripheral but related)

    These data bus ICs feature high integration and robust design. Engineers can select from protocol ICs, line drivers, receivers, and transceivers to match their system needs. The products help reduce board space and simplify system design, making them cost-effective for both new and legacy platforms.

    Many leading aerospace and defense companies trust these ICs for their proven reliability and performance.

    Protocol Solutions

    Holt Integrated Circuits supports a broad set of protocol solutions. These protocols enable secure and efficient data transfer in complex electronic systems.

    • MIL-STD-1553 (with integrated terminal ICs supporting BC, RT, and MT modes)

    • ARINC 429

    • ARINC 825 (CAN)

    • ARINC 717

    • RS485/422

    • Ethernet

    The company also provides discrete-to-digital drivers, analog switches, and LCD display drivers. These solutions help engineers meet strict industry requirements and ensure compatibility with existing systems. The protocol ICs often include advanced features, such as built-in diagnostics and flexible interfaces, to support demanding applications.

    Display Drivers

    Display drivers from Holt Integrated Circuits deliver reliable performance in harsh environments. These drivers include several features that enhance system safety and reliability:

    • Programmable overcurrent and undercurrent thresholds for precise current control

    • Short circuit fault protection to prevent system damage

    • Advanced diagnostics through SPI interface for real-time monitoring and fault detection

    • Built-in support for PWM waveform generation, watchdog timers, overcurrent shutdown and retry, and individual channel current measurement

    • Compliance with AS9100D:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 quality standards

    • Development kits with preloaded software and customizable source code to speed up design and reduce risk

    These features help engineers create robust display systems for aerospace and defense projects. The display drivers support fast development cycles and help reduce time to market.

    Applications

    Aerospace

    Holt Integrated Circuits plays a vital role in the aerospace industry. Their products support many critical systems found in commercial and military aircraft. Almost every commercial aircraft flying today contains Holt’s ARINC 429 IC components. These integrated circuits help manage data communication between avionics systems, ensuring safe and reliable flight operations.

    The following table highlights common aerospace systems that use Holt’s products:

    Aerospace System Type

    Description and Examples of Holt IC Products and Applications

    Avionics Systems

    Used in avionics data buses; includes ARINC 429 transceivers, ARINC 717, and discrete-to-digital sensing ICs.

    Military Data Bus Systems

    Includes MIL-STD-1553 BC/RT/MT terminals, MIL-STD-1760 protocol IP cores, and dual transceivers with integrated transformers.

    Space/Satellite Systems

    Features radiation-hardened transceivers and latchup-immune devices for satellites and space applications.

    High-Reliability Avionics

    Offers thermal fail-safe, overcurrent shutdown, and lightning protection for robust avionics environments.

    Aerospace engineers trust Holt’s solutions for their proven reliability in harsh and demanding environments.

    Defense

    Defense platforms depend on Holt Integrated Circuits for mission-critical operations. Their technology supports key military avionics subsystems, such as flight control, navigation, engine management, communications, and safety equipment. Holt’s integrated circuits meet strict military standards, including ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 717, CAN (ARINC 825), and Ethernet.

    Holt’s products deliver features that address military requirements:

    • EMI/EMC and lightning protection for harsh environments

    • Compact, low-power, and cost-effective data bus interfaces

    • Compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100D, and MIL-STD-1553 standards

    Holt also offers the only MIL-STD-1553 IP Core certifiable to DO-254 Design Assurance Level A, the highest safety standard for avionics hardware. Over 400 manufacturers worldwide use Holt’s technology in military avionics, demonstrating its reliability and industry trust.

    Industrial and Medical

    Holt Integrated Circuits supplies analog and mixed-signal ICs for industrial automation, robotics, and medical equipment. Their communication protocol ICs, such as ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, and RS-485/422, support mission-critical applications that require high reliability.

    The following table shows examples of Holt’s products and their suitability for industrial and medical environments:

    Product

    Operating Temperature

    Application Areas

    Reliability Features

    HI-8435PQIF

    -40°C to +85°C

    Industrial automation, robotics, medical imaging, digital radiography, MRI

    Designed for robust, high-reliability use

    HI-3585PQI

    -40°C to +85°C

    Industrial automation, communication networks, medical equipment, military

    CMOS process, low power, 365-day warranty

    Holt’s solutions help engineers build safe, reliable, and long-lasting systems for both industrial and medical applications.

    What Makes Holt Unique

    Integration and Innovation

    Holt Integrated Circuits stands out for its advanced integration technologies. The company leads the market with the largest ARINC 429 product portfolio. Many of these products operate from a single 3.3V supply and include integrated RAM and full protocol solutions. Their MIL-STD-1553 ICs are the smallest and most cost-effective, combining multiple functions on a single chip. Holt Integrated Circuits was the first to combine a CAN controller and transceiver in one compact package. These innovations help engineers reduce system complexity, save board space, and lower costs.

    • 800V galvanic isolation in ARINC 429 line drivers and receivers provides critical fault isolation.

    • The HI-8597 line driver includes integrated DO-160G Level 3 lightning protection.

    • Quad and octal ARINC 429 line receivers feature built-in lightning protection.

    • The HI-8598 is the world’s first galvanically isolated ARINC 429 line driver.

    Recently, Holt Integrated Circuits introduced highly integrated solutions for ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, and ARINC 825 (CAN) bus interfaces. These products combine analog interfaces and data handling on a single chip. This approach results in smaller footprints, better data processing, and improved reliability.

    Continuous investment in new technologies and customer collaboration drives their innovation.

    Quality Standards

    Quality remains a core value at Holt Integrated Circuits. The company holds AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 certifications, which reflect strict quality management and continuous improvement. These standards ensure that every product meets the demanding requirements of aerospace and defense applications. Holt Integrated Circuits uses advanced manufacturing processes and a system-engineered approach to maintain high reliability and long product life.

    Industry Partnerships

    Holt Integrated Circuits builds strong partnerships with leading aerospace and defense companies. Raytheon Technologies, a global leader, relies on Holt for databus and sensor electronics. In 2022, Raytheon recognized Holt Integrated Circuits with a Premier Award for superior performance in cost competitiveness, technology, and collaboration. This recognition highlights Holt’s commitment to excellence and trusted relationships in the industry.

    Holt Integrated Circuits delivers trusted solutions for aerospace and defense electronics. Their products support a wide range of avionics protocols and rugged applications. The table below highlights common uses for their technology:

    Application Area

    Description

    MIL-STD-1553

    Smallest, cost-effective single-chip solution for avionics data bus interface

    ARINC 429

    Monolithic ICs for cost-effective protocol devices

    ARINC 717

    Single-chip solution with integrated drivers and receivers

    ARINC 825 (CAN)

    Standardized Controller Area Network devices for avionics

    Discrete-to-Digital/Drivers

    Robust components for sensing discrete signals in avionics systems

    Analog Switches

    High-temperature switches for harsh environments

    Engineers seeking reliable, high-performance components can explore Holt Integrated Circuits’ offerings for their next project.

    FAQ

    What industries use Holt Integrated Circuits products?

    Aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical sectors use Holt Integrated Circuits products. These industries need reliable and high-performance electronic components for mission-critical systems.

    Are Holt Integrated Circuits products certified for quality?

    Yes. Holt Integrated Circuits holds AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 certifications. These certifications show strong quality management and a focus on continuous improvement.

    What protocols do Holt Integrated Circuits support?

    • ARINC 429

    • MIL-STD-1553

    • ARINC 825 (CAN)

    • ARINC 717

    • RS485/422

    • Ethernet

    These protocols help engineers build safe and compatible systems.

    How can engineers get support for Holt Integrated Circuits products?

    Engineers can contact Holt Integrated Circuits through their website or by phone. The company provides technical support, datasheets, and development kits to help with design and troubleshooting.

    GNS Electronics is an electronic components distributor expert.